In case it's not obvious, I spend a lot of time on the computer and not all of it productive (gasps of shock from the audience). I'm a big fan of computer games and I always have been pretty much for as long as I can remember. Consequently, my five year old son will see me playing on the computer from time to time and it's only natural that he want's to join in the fun! Who am I to stand in the way of his mindless entertainment (although I think also intellectual development), but this does leave me with some what of a problem: Many of the games I play are either too violent (first person shooters, Grand Theft Auto etc) or too complicated (I do like my real time strategy games and simulations!).

Just as a side-note before I get tons of comments; I don't play GTA and the like when he's around.

Since I've been getting heavily into open source software over the past few years, and knowing that there are already some quality open source games out there, I decided to see if I could find some less violent and intellectually complex games that my son could play. So my challenge in a nutshell is: Find some of the most appealing open source (ergo free!) games for kids aged 5 and up. The Children must be able to play independently without adult supervision (though I don't mind supervising a little bit), and the game content must be age appropriate with no offensive or overly violent content.

To expand on independent play, this means that the game concepts must be easy enough to understand so that you could verbally explain to a child how to play, or the child would be able to understand the game concept through intuition/experience, or trial and error. As for age appropriate, that means that First Person Shooters with machine guns and sniper rifles are out. No doubt my son will play those games when he's older but there is no rush to introduce him to them just yet. (For the record I'm not a believer that video games turn our little gamers into gun-toting psycho killers but that's an article for another day). In addition, age appropriate also means that the games must not rely on skills which the child may not possess or have sufficient mastery such as reading ability. Games that require quick-thinking and lightning reflexes may also prove too challenging for younger children.

Naturally there are other important considerations such as child safety/security. As such, online play (with other human players) is to be avoided, and so games must feature a single player mode. In the case of my 5 year old he wouldn't be able to interact with other users anyway (not yet being able to read), but still I don't feel the need to introduce him to online multi-player gaming just yet. While it is sad that we have to think of such concerns, I think it is appropriate to keep them very much in the forefront of our minds.

Finally, my family primarily use Windows computers (I daren't confuse them with other systems like Linux) and so the games must run on that platform. While they do occasionally use a Mac, Windows is definitely the operating system of choice, so that is what I'm looking for in availability of the games. On the plus side and one reason I like open source software is that particular applications/games that are open source tend to be available for some or all of those operating systems mentioned previously. You should check the website of each game for platform availability, if you're not primarily a Windows user.

So on the face of it, it might seem like we're stuck with coloring pictures of trains and cars, and TV Tennis (Pong). Not so, fortunately the open source gaming arena has steadily grown over the past few years, spurred on by the success of many quality titles. In addition, there are plenty of options for all ages, so we're not just stuck with First Person Shooters (although there are lots of open source games of that genre available).

First, I'll outline the "top 10" that I have found, and then I'll explain a little more about each game in turn. This is by no means an exhaustive list and it is in no particular order, but all of these games have been kid-tested and approved:

TuxPaint*Latest version not available for Windows, see below for details

[size=4]Rigs of Rods[/size] This is a truck simulator and while I'd normally shy away from simulators as they tend to be overly complex and require lots of know-how, Rigs of Rods turns out to be relatively simple yet highly engaging, especially for boys (and girls) that love anything on wheels! Kids will get to drive some of their favorite vehicles in this game including tractor-trailers (articulated lorries), buses, cars, trucks, and even boats and planes! Technically because this is a simulator this isn't really a game as such, there is no particular goal other than to drive around in your favorite vehicles. Consequently, the game may lose appeal but the ability to change maps, and interact with multiple vehicles, as well as sub-games like time-trial races should be enough to hold a child's interest for quite some time.

[size=3]Pros[/size]

Lots of choices of vehicles and maps (scenery) will keep children engaged and amused.

Some vehicles have movable, operable parts such as cranes and tow trucks. This is a really unique feature that I have never seen in a game of this type before.

The level of sophistication is such that the game will appeal to kids of varying ages. If all kids want to do is drive around, they can do that fairly easily, but advanced options will appeal to older kids too (such as those features mentioned in the point above).

[size=3]Cons[/size]

There is a learning curve; because it's a simulator there are some keys that kids will need to remember but these are repetitive and consistent so kids will pick them up fairly quickly, even younger kids.

The game is still in development and as such there are lots of bugs and you may even experience some crashes, forcing you to reload the game. This can get very frustrating to a child.

[size=4]SuperTuxKart[/size] If your child likes vehicles and racing, but does not want the potential complexities associated with simulators then SuperTuxKart might be for them. It's basically a clone of SuperMarioKart, but featuring mascots from the Linux operating system world (of which Tux the Penguin is the most recognizable, and well-known character). There are many different tracks to choose from and you can race against up to 5 other computer players. You can also play against another human player on the same computer. There are various game-playing modes such as one-off races, championship series' playing for points per race over several tracks, and some other game modes too. A fun game that is almost instantly accessible, with very low learning curve with the exception of the mastery of controls/coordination.

[size=3]Pros[/size]

The cute and cuddly factor with colorful graphics will definitely appeal to younger kids. To older kids it will retain the familiarity of similar games so they should feel right at home instantly.

Being able to play against multiple computer players and set the level of difficulty ensure that your child should be able to have an enjoyable yet competitive game without feeling like a complete failure.

[size=3]Cons[/size]

There is no LAN or network play (yet) so you can't play with your child on different computers. Playing on the same computer is okay if you can configure the keys/controllers so that you don't get in each others' way but the screen is still a little crowded since it has to be split into two and this can confuse younger gamers.

Game requires reasonable hand/eye coordination but with practice even young children will pick this up in no time. In addition, changing the level of difficulty will help ensure your child is able to compete.

[size=4]SuperTux[/size] SuperTux is not to be confused with SuperTuxKart although there are similarities in that again, this game borrows from the popular Nintendo hero, Mario, and again it's based on the Linux mascot, Tux. This game is a 2D platform game very much a clone of the SuperMarioBros. The goal is to guide Tux across the screen to the level's end, avoiding bad guys and obstacles along the way, while picking up coins as you go. Just as in SuperMario, you can defeat the baddies by having Tux jump on top of them. Naturally, there are power-ups available to super-charge Tux and help you blaze a trail through a level. Again, a simple concept and kids will enjoy the colorful graphics and cutesy sound.

[size=3]Pros[/size]

Simple game concept and reasonably balanced level of difficulty means kids of all ages can enjoy.

[size=3]Cons[/size]

Not really many that I can think of, except general ones associated with these types of games such as repetitiveness. Might not hold childrens' attentions as long as some of the other games.

[size=4]ExtremeTuxRacer[/size] Again our Linux friend Tux is at the fore of the game, which is typical for open source games, as many of them are developed on the Linux operating system but made available for Windows. This game concept is very very simple, it's a downhill slalom racing, except rather than on skis, Tux the penguin prefers to go down the slopes on his belly. You have to get from the top of the slope to the bottom of the run in as fast a time as possible staying within the flag poles, while collecting fish along the way. ExtremeTuxRacer is actually an offshoot of the original TuxRacer project. I chose it because at the time I don't believe a Windows version of TuxRacer was available, but this since seems to have changed, so either game will work for Windows users. Finally, don't be put off by "Extreme" in the title, that doesn't mean overly complex or impossibly hard, kids will love this simple game.

[size=3]Pros[/size]

Lots of slopes to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty. I find that younger kids don't even really care about trying to get the fastest time, they just enjoy racing along as fast as they can, occasionally trying to catch fish. :)

[size=3]Cons[/size]

The game is very repetitive despite the many different slopes available, the basic game concept remains the same and so it might not hold your child's attention for very long.

Adults beware the music is repetitive and annoying and it will saturate your brain. I think you can turn it off but your child may protest and demand to have it on.

[size=4]Pingus[/size] Pingus is a game in a similar vein to Lemmings, in that you must guide small creatures (Penguins in this case) from their entry point to safety. You do this by navigating through a map helping the penguins to avoid obstacles and pitfalls by giving individual penguins abilities that aide the group as a whole. For example, Penguins may be trapped in an area where the only way to get out is to dig, so you can instruct one penguin to dig. For each level you have different and limited abilities to use, and so the nature of the game is that of a puzzle, in which you must figure out the best way to save the maximum number of penguins. Note that sometimes, you must sacrifice a few penguins in the name of the greater good!

[size=3]Pros[/size]

Who doesn't like Penguins?

Gets children thinking and engaged as they try to figure out how to solve a level.

[size=3]Cons[/size]

Requires some training, and can provide a challenging concept for younger gamers to grasp. As such this game is a borderline inclusion to this list because some levels may simply prove too difficult for younger children. This game may frustrate your child more than it entertains them!

Ready for some more? Read on for more great open source games for kids in part 2.